Sony Bravia W-Series KDL-46W3000 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

I’ll describe the TV and the delivery in two separate paragraphs. The rating I have given is for the TV only.
The Sony 46W3000 lives up to every expectation. The colors and resolution are spectacular. I haven’t found a flaw of any kind (I used to design television monitors for warbirds). Stated simply its a really nice piece. No buyer regrets whatsoever.
The ‘White Glove’ delivery was another matter. The delivery company called day before to indicate the set would be delivered between 12-5pm. So as the drill goes you rearrange your life and wait hoping the delivery will be sooner not later. I waited and waited. finally about 4:30p I received a call indicating that the delivery was running late. I had a concert to attend at 7p so the delivery was now becoming awkward. Truck showed up at 6:30p. Driver had a sprained ankle and was on a cane, had no helper. Was barely able to help carry in the set. Had my wife been home alone there would have been no way to bring the set in. A jack strap in the truck used to hold the box in place had cut clear through the cardboard box. Fortunately, no visible damage to the contents. Driver and I unpacked the box and quickly tested the set with a portable dvd player. I thanked the driver and went to the concert. Arrived late got poor seating. From my experience.. Amazon needs to rethink their ‘White Glove’ Delivery
PS [added 6/09]: In October 08 [six months old] the set failed. It took sony several weeks to get replecement parts. The failure was pretty major with the LCD array being replaced. The set has been working wonderful for about six months since repair.
Sony Bravia W-Series KDL-46W3000 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Feature
- 10-bit 16:9 Full HD 1080p Panel (1920×1080): Picture Frame Styling/Distinctive Brushed Metal Finish
- 24p True Cinema (24p Input Capability via HDMI)
- Live Color Creation system with WCG-CCFL backlight
- Connections: 3 HDMI; 1 S-Video input; 2 Component Video; 3 Composite Video Inputs; 1 Digital Audio Output; 1 PC Video Input; 1 PC Audio Input
- 1,800:1 on-screen contrast ratio
Sony Bravia W-Series KDL-46W3000 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Overview
Step into a world where high performance meets high style. Step into the world of the BRAVIA W-Series Full HD 1080p LCD TVs. Take all of the performance technology and great features from our V-Series televisions and add five more significant features ¿ x.v.Color, Deep Color, backlit remote control, a 3rd HDMI input on the side and brushed metal design. BRAVIA models push picture quality performance beyond the limitations of the current video sources. The W-series features advanced connectivity to answer this need. x.v.Color is Sony’s name for the xvYCC option available in the HDMI 1.3 spec. x.v.Color greatly broadens the color space input capabilities to include 1.8 times as many natural colors as existing HDTV signals have and it is a perfect companion for select ‘07 HD camcorders. Deep Color (another HDMI v1.3 option) input capability works with the 10-bit processor and panel to deliver 64 times the level of color expression versus current 8¿bit systems and can help enhance your PlayStation¿ 3 enjoyment. Wrap all of this up with an elegant a new brushed metal picture frame design and there’s nothing like W-Series HDTVs.
Sony Bravia W-Series KDL-46W3000 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Specifications
Sony’s BRAVIA W series Full HD 1080p televisions take performance to the next level with advanced HDMI v1.3 features such as x.v.Color which greatly broadens the color space input capabilities to include 1.8 times as many natural colors as existing HDTV signals. In addition, Deep Color input capability works with the 10-bit processor and panel to deliver 64 times the level of color expression versus current 8-bit systems. Wrap all of this up with an elegant a new brushed metal picture frame design and there’s nothing like W-Series HDTV’s.
Full HD 1080
There are a lot of ways to define high-definition but BRAVIA Full HD means you’re getting the best resolution that high-definition has to offer consumers. With Sony BRAVIA W Series HDTVs, Full HD 1080 means 1920 x 1080 pixels5 and 1080p video inputs. Your lifestyle demands the best in high-definition and with BRAVIA Full HD 1080 products you get it.
1920 x 1080 Panel Resolution
1920 x 1080 Panel Resolution — When it comes to high-definition TV the pinnacle of performance is achieved by using 1920 x 1080 display panels. And BRAVIA W Series televisions have them. Full HD 1920 x 1080 panel resolution with over 2 million pixels 5(more than twice that of 720p HDTV) is exactly what you need to reproduce the 1080p content that can be delivered by our cutting edge 1080p Blu-ray disc player.
10-bit Processing and 10-bit Display
While it’s great to state that a TV is capable of creating billions of colors it’s a whole lot better when you have a display that can actually display them. That’s the logic behind Sony’s 10-bit processor and 10-bit display. Sony follows 10-bit processing with a 10-bit panel, allowing 64 times the levels of color expression than an 8-bit panel. What that translates to is smoother transitions from color to color and subtle color changes faithfully reproduced.
BRAVIA Engine EX Full Digital Video Processor
The BRAVIA Engine EX full digital video processing system is based on Sony’s famous BRAVIA Engine video processing system.
Live Color Creation System featuring WCG-CCFL
Decades of television know how allow us to realize that an LCD TV is more than just the panel; it’s actually a system. Uncompromised picture quality starts with combining carefully chosen components and circuits to optimize system quality, among these are the color creation and processing functions. That’s what Live Color Creation is all about. It starts with the BRAVIA Engine EX video processing system, which enhances primary colors and corrects half-tone colors for natural overall color. Next, a WCG-CCFL backlight using Sony’s phosphor formula delivers a specific spectrum of light designed to work with our specially formulated color filters. The combination of these three components creates deep, deep blues and natural greens for overall colors that draw you right into the picture.
Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE) Function
Sony’s Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE) builds on our excellent on-contrast ratio performance of 1,800:11. A Dynamic Contrast Ratio of up to 16,000:12 is achieved by using real-time image processing to adjust the contrast along with optimizing backlight levels. But rather than focus on the “numbers”, Sony focuses on actual picture performance avoiding exaggerated blacks where detail can be lost. ACE translates to blacker blacks in darker scenes, as well as better shadow detail in other scenes for a difference that you can see.
x.v.Color technology
BRAVIA HDTV’s performance has now advanced to the point that the color range can be defined by limitations in the original video source, rather than the TV. Thanks to the adoption of a newly approved international color standard called xvYCC (an option in the HDMI v1.3 spec and which Sony participated in creating), the color space has been greatly expanded. 1.8 times as many natural colors as existing HDTV signals will now be faithfully reproduced. x.v.Color is the name Sony has chosen to promote video products that include xvYCC capability. x.v.Color enabled products can now offer more accurate color reproduction and natural colors.
24p True Cinema (24p Input Capability)
Many movies are filmed at 24 frames per second (fps) and prime time TV programs are video taped at 24p. Seizing on an opportunity, some studios are taking a purist approach and encoding high definition video content such as Blu-ray Disc in 24p. Sony wisely takes advantage of this by including 24p output capability on their BDP-S1 Blu-ray Disc player. It makes sense that select 2007 BRAVIA TVs will include 24p input capability. The benefit? Images are smooth and natural looking. Once you experience 24p video it will be hard to view video without it.
DMex – Ready (Digital Module Extender)
Sony’s Digital Media Extender (DMex) ready televisions offer a digital connection path for the addition of the optional modules like the new BRAVIA Internet Video Link. 6 With innovative DMex expansion capabilities featuring the Emmy award winning XMB user interface, select 2007 models are not merely TVs, but powerful entertainment platforms that not only meet your needs today, but expand easily to meet tomorrow’s needs as well.
Xross Media Bar (XMB) interface
When was the last time you saw an on-screen display that was fast, fun and easy to use? Sony’s award-winning Xross Media Bar (pronounced Cross) provides a logical and fast way to access set up menus, user controls, and more. The on-screen display comes to life by pushing the XMB menu button on the remote. Navigation through the menus is smooth and fast.
BRAVIA Theatre Sync technology
Sony created BRAVIA Theatre Sync to go beyond basic digital audio and video transmission. Based on the HDMI-CEC function. BRAVIA Theatre Sync will be included on select BRAVIA Theatre home A/V systems and components. This useful function reduces the hassle and time consuming job of powering up, routing signals, etc. to the simple push of one button.8 Sony calls this nifty feature BRAVIA Theatre Sync. Here’s how it works. Want to play a DVD on your Sony A/V system? Easy, just push PLAY on the BRAVIA HDTV remote and everything is taken care of for you. Even when the system is off! Want to change from TV sound to digital surround sound through your Sony BRAVIA Theatre A/V system? Just one push of the Theater Sound button on the remote and voila, surround sound through your system. Want to power down everything once you’ve finished enjoying it? Push one button and the TV and A/V system powers down. BRAVIA Theatre Sync helps make things a whole lot easier to operate.
S-Force Front Surround
Built around a sophisticated set of Sony algorithms, the S-Force Front Surround enhancement function generates realistic surround sound from the two speakers in the TV. Unlike some other “virtual surround” technologies, sound does not need to be bounced off of side walls or other surfaces to hear three-dimensional sound. No matter what the size or shape of the room it’s possible to hear sounds from behind you.
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Customer Reviews
Buyer Beware – JL – Wheeling, WV United States
When we first bought this television we were absolutely in love with it. However, around the time our set turned 18 months old, the television had to be turned on for 10-15 minutes before the picture would appear. I called Sony who said they could not help me since my warranty was only good for a year. The burden of repair, they said, was completely my own. I decided to “live with it,” and simply turn the television on 10-15 minutes before I wanted to watch anything.
However, now the picture is gone for close to an hour. I called Sony again, but apparently the burden is still completely mine to pay for repairs. Yes, I realize that my television is older than the one-year warranty, but I’ve researched this model online and apparently several others are having the same problem.
I can’t wait until Monday when I find out how much it will cost me to fix this problem.
Again, it’s a great television if/when it works, but I’m seriously reconsidering ever buying a Sony again if they only stand behind their products for 12 months.
Worst TV Set I’ve Ever Owned! – W. H. Kurtz – Georgia
Without a doubt, this Sony KDL46W3000 is the worst TV set I have ever owned. The picture, which I saw demonstrated in several stores on a HD link, is abysmal using any other input but HD. Surely Sony should have realized that only some broadcasts are in HD and most other sources of input are not. They could have compensated for those circumstances instead of letting the buyer suffer from a low quality picture.
The sound is no better. It is muffled and unintelligible in many broadcasts, and the Sound Leveler circuit does not appear to make any difference. I thought I was finally done adjusting the sound level from loud commercials to soft movie scenes, and I expected the TV set to strike some kind of balance. It doesn’t.
Conclusion: Don’t buy this TV set at any price. I paid 47 and wish I had my money back. Based on reviews I have read of other Sony products (after I bought the TV), they no longer manufacture quality electronics. That’s too bad. I’ve had nothing but good luck with this brand until now.
Excellent Product – M. Motupalli – Houston, TX
We bought this product after a couple of weeks of research and thinking. We needed a TV for our niche in the family room. Since we already have a niche, several recommended we buy a DLP so you’ll get a bigger screen TV for the same or lower price. When I went to the best buys and the like, I found that the DLP looks good if you are right in front but it does not have a good viewing angle. I loved the look of plasma TVs but again since I wanted it in my family room, I was looking for something brighter. I loved all the SONY’s in the stores. Amazon had a great deal on this TV, no taxes, free white glove delivery. I saved nearly 0. I am extremely happy with the HD channels and brightness of this TV in the family room. The only con is for some channels where there is a lot of speed in the picture the TV acts like its catching up. I was told the XBR with 120 Hertz is better in this regard. Overall, I am very pleased with the product and with Amazon. In the future I will not buy any product without checking on Amazon.
WOW!! – tlwaggie – Colorado
I have a few LCD TV’s and this one blows me away! I spent quite a long time reviewing different LCD units from different magazines, companies, and online personal reviews, and I found that besides the top Sony Bravia, this one is by far my best purchase I have had in a long time!
Make sure you get yourself a set of good Monster HD cables
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jul 13, 2010 15:50:03
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